Israeli forces detain American and international volunteers harvesting olives in West Bank

Israeli soldiers detained about 80 volunteers near Bethlehem on October 21, 2026, while they were picking olives on Palestinian farmland. The group included Americans, British, Israelis, and Canadians. It was organised by Rabbis for Human Rights and other Jewish peace groups.

The volunteers had been working for around two hours when soldiers arrived and declared the area a closed military zone. They were taken by bus to a military station. Brad Lander, a Democratic candidate for the US Congress, was among those held. He was released after a few hours because of his public profile. Other volunteers, including several rabbis, stayed in detention longer.

The Israeli military said the harvest was not coordinated and created a security risk. Palestinian farmers say they need outside help because settler violence stops them from reaching their own land.